Key races, referendums facing Winnebago and Boone county voters

Here’s a look at the key local races and issue referendums voters will decide in Tuesday’s primary.

Winnebago County

Winnebago County Sheriff Dick Meyers decided not to seek re-election this term, opening the door for a new top cop for the first time in 17 years.

There are contested races on both sides of the aisle in Tuesday’s primary election. Seeking the Democratic nomination are Randy Olson, Jeff Schroeder, Glenn Heidenreich, Bob Redmond and Bob Springer; Frank Pobjecky and Gary Caruana are vying to represent the Republican Party.

The winners Tuesday will then face off in the November election to replace the longest-serving sheriff in Winnebago County history. Meyers said in a September 2013 interview that he had decided not to run again.

Residents also will be selecting candidates for the County Board, although a majority of seats will not be contested on during the primary. In District 8, Republicans Brian Leggero, Dianne Parvin and Eli Nicolosi are running. In District 14, Democrats Jesse Aguirre Wladimiro and L.C. Wilson are running.

Boone County

Boone County Sheriff Duane Wirth, 72, announced in June that he would not seek re-election. That means that for the first time in 36 years the face of the department will change.

Two Republican candidates are vying for Wirth’s job: Phil Beu, a retired 32-year veteran of the Boone County Sheriff’s Department who held various positions including master sergeant/lieutenant of operations, and Belvidere Police Deputy Chief Dave Ernest.

No Democrats are running.

Boone County voters have several contenders to choose from in the Republican primary for the County Board.

There are 11 candidates running in three districts, where two seats are available in each.

In District 1, the race is not contested. Voters can choose both Sherry Giesecke and Raymond Larson.

In District 2, incumbents Karl Johnson and Ronald Wait are seeking re-election. Also running are Jeffrey Carlisle and Mark Sanderson.

In District 3. Marion Thornberry is the incumbent. The other two candidates are Sherry Branson and Brad Stark. Voters also must select between Chris Berner and Kenneth Freeman to fill a two-year term in that district.

On the Democratic side, there are no contested races.

Referendums

Voters in the Rockford area will be asked to decide six referendum questions on Tuesday.

Four of the referendums could result in tax increases. The other two include an advisory referendum and a request to keep in place a tax set to expire in 2015.

— In Loves Park, voters will be asked to approve a 1 percent sales tax increase to help pay for $20 million in capital improvement projects such as roads, drainage systems and local bridge repairs. The tax would go into effect July 1 and end in 2024.

— The Winnebago Park District wants permission to raise its tax rate 50 percent above the limiting tax rate, from 12 cents per $100 to 18 cents per $100. If passed, the owner of a $100,000 home will pay an additional $20 a year in taxes, or $1.67 a month. District officials said the tax would generate additional revenue of $56,000 to help bring electricity to Sports Park, a 26-acre park located southeast of the Winnebago High School football field. The funds also would be used to construct a multi-use shelter, concession stand, walking path, bathrooms and additional parking.

— In Roscoe Township, an advisory question asks: “Should the Roscoe Township Board of Trustees consider contracting for bus services to be used by residents living in rural, unincorporated Roscoe Township?”

Roscoe Township Supervisor Jim Benkovich said the non-binding vote would help the board determine whether residents want Stateline Mass Transit District bus service. The service does not run on fixed routes but is a dial-up, door-to-door service. Roscoe Township’s 30 square miles include parts of South Beloit and most of Roscoe.

— In the Village of Roscoe, trustees want to raise the sales tax from 7.25 percent to 8.25 percent. The revenue generated, an estimated $900,000 to $1 million, would be used to improve the village’s streets and sewer and water service. The tax also has a five-year sunset clause, meaning village officials would have to seek residents’ approval in 2019 to keep the tax.

— Kinnikinnick School District’s 2012 property tax rate of 3.3 percent is the lowest of 11 public school districts in Winnebago County. The referendum proposal would put the district’s new rate at 3.7 percent in 2014, 4.17 percent in 2015 and 4.5 percent in 2016, and would stave off any reductions in staff and increase in class sizes. The proposed tax increase would mean the owner of a $100,000 house would pay $269 more a year over two years — $159 in year one, and $110 in year two.

— Residents within the North Suburban Library District are being asked to extend a tax payment originally approved to build and expand the libraries in 1996. That debt will be paid off in 2015. If the tax remains in place, the revenue generated would pay for ongoing plumbing and electrical upgrades, roof replacements, additional materials and eMaterials, and a parking lot expansion.

Residents who own homes valued at $100,000 would continue to pay about $74.20 annually in taxes to the library district. If the referendum fails, those same homeowners would see their tax bills drop $14.64, to $59.56 a year.

Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen

Jennifer Wheeler: 815-987-1354; jwheeler@rrstar.com; @jenmwheeler

Susan Vela: 815-987-1395; svela@rrstar.com; @susanvela

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